So how did this happen ... five weeks gone and not a child in the house washed! Seriously ... if you ever want to experience a surreal time warp ... come to Ballymaloe!!  

Today was a reasonably normal day ... 8 a.m. start at a gentle pace ... and then just constantly on the go until lunch! 

Today I made a Bakewell tart, a wild rice, bread bean & pea salad and crudités with aioli! Not too bad a day in the kitchen but I didn't leave with the sense of a job well done! 

So now I am a believer in what they say about week 5 ... I saw a couple of episodes today of "tetchiness" and people are definitely a little more on edge! I am so glad to see the back of it! 

Next week I move to a new kitchen (2) and a new partner! (thanks Hannah 😄)

Todays afternoon session I wasn't really in the mood for ... I was done with week 5 and wanted to chill out with a little of vino ... but I went ... It was Rachels turn this afternoon and we finished a little early to allow people who were driving home to be able to vote! Todays demo dishes

• Plate of Irish Shellfish – Oysters, Mussels, Shrimps, Cockles, Periwinkles
• Casserole Roast Chicken with Tarragon
• Spatchcock Chicken
• Verdura Mista,
• Basil Pesto
• Carrageen Moss Pudding with Sweet Geranium
• Irish Coffee Sauce
• Poached Apricots with Sweet Geranium Leaves;
• Elizabeth Mosse’s Gingerbread
• Porter Cake – Molten method
• Banana and Walnut Bread; 
• Mrs. Robinson’s Buttermilk Carrot Cake
• Beetroot and Walnut Cake,
• Parsnip and Maple Syrup Cake

One of the funniest moments of the afternoon was when Rachel asked the class had anyone not tasted an oyster before ... one of my housemates promptly shot their hand up and of course Rachel offered them one to taste ... that was followed by a sharp exit from the room with a hand held over a mouth and a swift release outside 😝 🤮

The evening brought some of the nicest weather we have seen in the last five weeks so it seemed a pity to waste it ... an immediate chill axe with a beer outside Pennyworth with some of my housemates, then off I went to watch a hurling match (Russel Rovers U14) ... one of the teachers (Gary) son was playing and a few of the guys wanted to see hurling for the first time !!!  😱

As the pitch was right beside the goalpost pub ... it seemed rude not to drop in for a cheeky pint 😇... that turned into several ... we ended up back in Mrs Walshes chatting until the early hours! 🤫

Interesting fact - one of my drinking partners (Stephane) for the evening used to be the "danseur noble" at the Monte Carlo ballet company ... very interesting hearing about his career and life in the ballet circles ! 💥

Saturday ... needs to be a day of rest ... well rest to a point ... I need to go get some flat and round fish to fillet! hmmm 🐟